MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2015 Regular Session
To: Medicaid
By: Representatives Barker, Hines, Anderson, Baria, Howell, Jackson, Pigott, White, Lane, Espy, DeBar
AN ACT TO CREATE THE COMMISSION ON THE FUTURE OF MEDICAID AND HEALTH CARE IN MISSISSIPPI; TO PROVIDE FOR THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION; TO SPECIFY THE MEDICAID AND OTHER HEALTH TOPICS AND MATTERS FOR THE COMMISSION TO STUDY AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION SHALL PREPARE AND SUBMIT ITS INITIAL REPORT WITH A DETAILED STATEMENT OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1, 2016; TO PROVIDE THAT THE COMMISSION SHALL CONTINUE IN EXISTENCE AND SHALL PREPARE AND SUBMIT A FOLLOW-UP REPORT ANNUALLY NOT LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 1 OF THE YEAR; TO REPEAL SECTIONS 41-95-1 THROUGH 41-95-7, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, WHICH CREATE THE MISSISSIPPI HEALTH POLICY ACT OF 1994; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) There is created the Commission on the Future of Medicaid and Health Care in Mississippi.
(2) The commission shall consist of thirteen (13) members as follows:
(a) The Chairman of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee or his designee;
(b) The Chairman of the House of Medicaid Committee or his designee;
(c) Two (2) members of the Senate and two (2) nonlegislative members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor;
(d) Two (2) members of the House of Representatives and two (2) nonlegislative members appointed by the Speaker of the House;
(e) One (1) representative of the Office of the Governor;
(f) The Executive Director of the Division of Medicaid; and
(g) The Executive Director of the State Department of Health.
(3) With the goal of ensuring access, increasing quality and controlling costs of the Medicaid and other health programs, the commission shall meet, study and make recommendations on the following:
(a) Assessment of quality of care indicators and return on investment of the current Medicaid program, including, but not limited to, hospital readmissions, chronic disease management and overuse of emergency room for nonemergency conditions;
(b) Examination of the state's current use of managed care, including its effect on cost, access and health outcomes, in the Medicaid program and whether increased use of managed care is needed;
(c) Current Medicaid eligibility and whether further adjustments in eligibility are needed and/or manageable;
(d) Potential innovative payment and delivery models for Medicaid and other insurance plans, including, but not limited to, accountable care organizations, bundled payments and patient-centered medical homes;
(e) Whether the state should continue having a federally run health insurance exchange or opt for a state-run health insurance exchange;
(f) Future of the State and School Employees Life and Health Insurance Plan;
(g) Coordinating effort and resources among the various health care providers, including, but not limited to, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), hospitals, health department offices and other private primary care clinics;
(h) Establishment of a statewide strategic plan for health and health care;
(i) Increasing capacity for primary care in the State of Mississippi;
(j) Assisting health care providers in the transition to post-health care reform policies and payment methodologies; and
(k) Assuring that Mississippi does not forfeit or lose federal funds furnished without requirement of state match funds to increase coverage of the number of Mississippians with healthcare or health insurance.
(4) The commission shall meet monthly and shall have its first meeting no later than July 1, 2015. The first meeting of the commission shall be called by the Governor. At that first meeting, the commission shall elect from among its membership a chairman and other officers, if any, determined to be necessary. The chairman shall serve for a term of one (1) year, and the committee shall elect the chairman annually for a term to begin on July 1 of the year. After the commission has submitted its initial report, the commission shall meet at least quarterly and at such other times as deemed necessary. A majority of the membership of the commission shall constitute a quorum, and an affirmative vote of a majority of the commission shall be required for all actions taken. All members must be notified in writing of all meetings at least five (5) days before the date on which a meeting of the commission is scheduled.
(5) The members of the commission shall serve without compensation, except the legislative members shall be reimbursed at the same rate as for attending committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session.
(6) The Division of Medicaid shall provide appropriate staff support to assist the commission in carrying out its duties, and the commission may consult with employees of any state agency necessary to accomplish its responsibilities.
(7) The commission is authorized and encouraged to create subcommittees and working groups whose membership includes noncommission members such as physicians and other health care providers, and representatives of hospitals, associations, advocacy groups and consumers.
(8) The commission shall prepare and submit its initial report that contains a detailed statement of findings, conclusions and recommendations of the commission to the Legislature and the Governor not later than September 1, 2016. After the initial report, the commission shall continue in existence and shall prepare and submit a follow-up report to the Legislature and the Governor annually not later than September 1 of the year.
SECTION 2. Sections 41-95-1, 41-95-3, 41-95-5 and 41-95-7, Mississippi Code of 1972, which create the Mississippi Health Policy Act of 1994, are repealed.
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.